False cognate

A pair of false cognates consists of two words in different languages that

appear to be or are sometimes considered cognates when they're really not.

Note that there could be an indirect connection between them, however only words

sharing a common root can be considered real cognates.

For example, the word for "dog" in the Australian aboriginal language Mbabaran

happens to be "dog", although there is no common ancestor or other connection

between that language and English.

Although perhaps not technically accurate, the term "false cognate" is sometimes used to describe two words in different languages that look like they might mean the same thing but don't. These words are famous for tripping up beginning language students. An example is the Spanish compromiso, which means "promise," not "compromise."